Katarina Sehm Patomäki is the executive secretary of the Network Institute for Global Democratization (NIGD) and is also based at the University of Helsinki. Her research focuses mainly on debt in the developing world.Marko Ulvila is a freelance researcher and democracy activist based in Tampere, Finland. He is currently member-secretary of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and chairperson of the Network Institute for Global Democratization (NIGD). He has previously worked for civil society organisations in Finland, Tanzania and India.

'Can we, should we move beyond transnational to global political institutions - social movements, trade-unions, parties? This book assembles a serious discussion and debate about the need for and desirability of global political parties. Crucial reading for all those who want to move forward.'Immanuel Wallerstein, Yale University‘This book is a welcome addition to the growing and lively debate on global political parties and the potential of the World Social Forum’Dennis Brutus, University of Pittsburgh and University of KwaZulu Natal

• 1. Introduction - Katarina Sehm-Patomäki & Marko Ulvila2. Political parties and global democracy - Jan Aart Scholte3. Party systems in a globalized world - Thomas Wallgren4. The World Social Forum - A Global Party in the Making? - Christopher Chase-Dunn & Ellen Reese5. Researching global parties - Heikki Patomaki & Teivo Teivainen6. The globalization of party politics - Stephen Gill7. Towards the fifth international? - Samir Amin8. The global political - Vijay Pratap9. Conclusion: Beyond the Political Party/Civil Society Dichotomy - Heikki Patomäki & Teivo Teivainen